Division A: Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Natural Products

Organic Chemistry

• Synthesis of bioactive molecules with anticancer, antimalarial, and antimicrobial activity through the chemical modification of natural products (e.g., di- and triterpenes, polyamines, artemisinin, retinoids, antibiotics), and the design of small organic molecules with enhanced or broadened biological profiles.
• Design and development of synthetic methodologies — including organic, peptide, solid-phase, and combinatorial chemistry — for the preparation of biologically active compounds, peptides, lipids, and their derivatives, as well as their integration into nanoparticle systems for nanomedicine applications and targeted drug delivery.
• Design and synthesis of bioactive compounds with emphasis on flavonoids, organometallic hybrids, and targeted drug conjugates aimed at developing novel therapeutic approaches for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and antimicrobial resistance.
• Organic and pharmaceutical synthesis, encompassing asymmetric synthesis, homogeneous catalysis, and organo-/organometallic catalysis, alongside the design and optimization of bioactive molecules (Hit-to-Lead) and the development of scalable, green industrial processes.
• Rational design and synthesis of peptides and peptidomimetics, including linear and cyclic analogues, supported by molecular modeling, bioactive molecule interaction studies, and the development of drug carrier models and homology-based receptor systems.
• Synthesis and characterization of supramolecular and bioinorganic systems, such as molecular receptors, photochromic and biomimetic compounds, complemented by NMR spectroscopic studies of organoarsenic and related systems.

Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis, and Pathobiology of the Extracellular Matrix

• Development of biochemical analysis methods and diagnostic tools.
• Studies of mechanisms of growth, functional infiltration, and molecularly targeted therapies through the pathophysiology of the extracellular space, as well as the development of innovative 3D cell models (spheroids/organoids).
• Control of the expression and functional properties of extracellular macromolecules in physiological and pathological conditions (cancer, atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis) as well as in cellular function, signaling, and macromolecule biosynthesis.
• Application of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) technology in cancer cells.
• Study of mechanisms of electron flow through thiols in the antioxidant systems thioredoxins and glutaredoxins, and mechanisms of regulation of the redox capacity of cells, cloning/overexpression/purification/characterization of proteins.
• Study of the structure-activity relationship of macromolecules of the extracellular space, such as proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, metalloproteinases, glycolytic enzymes, as well as microRNAs and extracellular vesicles in solid tumors.
• Cytotoxicity studies of nanomaterials and new products at the cellular and molecular level to determine potential risks from exposure to the human body.

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Division B: Physical Chemistry, Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

• Advanced Nanomaterial Synthesis: Design and fabrication of 1-D, 2-D, and hybrid nanostructures using laser, CVD, and PVD methods for applications in energy harvesting and storage, catalytic activity, electronics, and photonics.
• Mechanics and Characterization of Functional Nanostructures: Modification of morphology, defects, and interfaces of nanomaterials for photocatalysis, sensors, tribology, and studies of confined fluids/crystals, as well as laser-generated nanoparticles.
• Composition and Physicochemical Characterization of Colloidal Materials.
• Study of Gaseous Pollutants: Study of the interaction of gaseous pollutants with solid surfaces and determination of physicochemical parameters for the exchange of gaseous pollutants between atmospheric and aquatic environments.
• Development, Characterization, and Evaluation of Heterogeneous Catalysts to produce biofuels from waste fatty raw materials, the production of chemicals from biomass, and environmental protection.
• Spectroscopic and Computational Methods: Application of FTIR, Raman, UV-VIS, and NMR for the study of the structure and properties of materials.
• Theoretical Approaches: Use of DFT and quantum mechanical calculations.
• Materials Development: Crystallization, aqueous chemistry, development of semiconductors, conducting polymers, ceramics, porous materials, colloids, and biomaterials.
• Applications in Energy and Electrochemistry: Study of electrochemistry, photovoltaic and galvanic cells for energy and technological applications
• Nanoscience and Materials: Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured inorganic materials (e.g. ZnO, ZnO/C) with the aim of understanding the growth mechanisms and controlling their physicochemical and optical properties.
• Theoretical and Spectroscopic Methods: Application of computational chemistry (ab initio, DFT, semi-empirical methods) and Raman spectroscopy/ultrasensitive f-f transitions to study structure, vibrational properties, and molecular interactions.

Inorganic Chemistry

• Synthesis and Characterization of Metal Complexes: Synthesis of homo- and heterometallic (3d/4f) complexes, lanthanides (4f-4f΄) with bridging organic radical substituents, and porphyrin and transition metal or lanthanide structures with emphasis on their magnetic and electronic properties.
• Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry: Study of structure, characterization, and properties (magnetic and catalytic) for applications in magnetic and thermal sensors.
• Synthesis and Characterization of Advanced Inorganic Materials: Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of inorganic materials, MOFs, and Spin Crossover compounds for applications in the detection of gaseous pollutants or in aqueous systems, gas separation, and as temperature sensors.
• Spectroscopic Characterization of Inorganic Compounds: Preparation, use, and regeneration of inorganic noble metal substrates and use of Raman and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) techniques for observation of phase change phenomena (spin crossover), detection of compounds at very low limits, and assessment of safety/migration of materials.
• Design and synthesis of complex compounds with a variety of nuclearities and dimensions (0,1,2, and/or 3D) of various Transition Metals and Lanthanides, with contribution: in the field of Bioinorganic Chemistry and pharmaceuticals, in the field of Molecular Materials and in the field of multifunctional materials with emission, molecular magnetism and thermometry properties, and in applications of redox flow batteries.
• Development of experimental protocols for hybrid materials based on carbon compounds (graphene, chemically modified graphene, carbon nanotubes) with molecular magnetic materials with SMM characteristics (single molecule magnets).
• Design and synthesis of polymer matrix nanocomposite materials, chemical modification of carbon nanotubes and/or graphene oxide sheets, and their further interaction with 3d or 4f metals or their complex compounds or polymers to produce new materials with enhanced physicochemical and mechanical properties.
• Synthesis and Characterization of Molecular Materials: Synthesis of oligo- and polynuclear complexes, single molecule magnets, hybrid inorganic-polymer materials, and modified nanomaterials for applications in molecular magnetism, optics, molecular electronics, quantum computers, and energy storage.
• Biomimetic Systems and Applications in Molecular Inorganic Chemistry: Development of complexes as biomimetic models of metalloenzymes, fertilizers for sustainable agriculture, and heterometallic inorganic compounds for batteries, supercapacitors, and energy devices.
• Synthesis and characterization of new hybrid thermosensitive materials with magnetic hysteresis at room temperature, either by loading known drugs or contrast agents for Biomedical, theragnostic applications, or with graphene-type substrates for technological applications.
• Development of synthetic protocols and modified synthetic routes for the nanosynthesis of bimetallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs and NMOFs) Fe(II)/Μ(ΙΙ) where Μ = Ni(II), Pt(II), Pd(II).
• Extensive physicochemical characterization with spectroscopic techniques FT-IR - far-IR, Raman, UV-VIS, and EPR / high frequency EPR in solutions, in microcrystalline and single-crystalline samples 1H/13C NMR, ESI-MS, X-ray crystallography, SQUID magnetometry, thermal methods DTG, DSC, microscopy: SEM, TEM, AFM.

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Division C: Chemical Applications, Chemical Analysis, and Environmental Chemistry

• Development of functional polymeric and hybrid nanostructured materials for energy applications (metal ion batteries, fuel cells, organic and photosensitized photovoltaics, light emitting diodes). Development of polymeric ionic liquids. Synthesis of nanocomposite hybrid materials with carbon nanostructures or inorganic nanoparticles (CNTs, fullerenes, organic or metallic NPs) and dendritic/dendritic polymers.
• Development of analytical methods and biosensors for the detection/identification of biomolecules (DNA, RNA, and proteins). Construction of biosensors using nano- and microtechnology. Combination of biosensors with automatic image processing and artificial intelligence systems. Development of analytical methods based on photoluminescence phenomena (fluorescence, chemi- and bioluminescence).
• Environmental Chemistry with emphasis on Liquid Pollution. Processes of physical attenuation of organic pollutants in the environment. Development and characterization of new, more efficient sorbents. Microplastics in the marine environment.
• Preparation of novel foods with the application of probiotic strains, study of antioxidant capacity, microbiological stability and shelf life of foods, application of innovative methods of preservation of food systems (meat products, etc.), study of fermentations for the production of functional foods, determination of organoleptic properties of produced products.
• Bioprocesses/Fermentation technology. Development of sustainable processes to produce high-quality (bio)technological products in the context of a circular economy (food, beverages, probiotics, microbial metabolites, biocatalysts, bioreactors, scale-up, commercial crops, biopolymers, etc.). Physicochemical characterization and improvement of the nutritional and organoleptic quality of foods. Biorefinery processes for the holistic management of raw materials into products, with minimized environmental footprint and production costs. Value-added products from agro-industrial waste. Design and comparative economic and environmental evaluation of low technological maturity level (TRL) systems.
• Study of water-soluble (bio)polymers and their physicochemical properties in solutions. Development of responsive and functional (bio)polymers, nanoparticles, and hybrid organic/inorganic materials. Design of functional hydrogels, coatings, and membranes as sorbents, biostatic materials, technological applications, chemical sensors, etc.
• Development of alkaline polymer electrolytes for application in water electrolysis. Development of polymers and polymer ionic liquids for application in gas separation (selective separation of CO₂, air dehumidification). Development of composite polymer and hybrid nanofiltration membranes (removal of divalent ions from water, etc.). Synthesis of polymeric adsorbent materials.
• Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of functionality of nanostructured catalytic and sorbent materials. Development of catalysts for biogas reforming, active and resistant to deactivation. Development of solid sorbent materials for the capture and/or activation of carbon dioxide. Synthesis and characterization of electrocatalysts for water/steam electrolysis (solid oxide electrolysis, SOEL).
• Micro- and nanotechnology in modern chemical analysis. Microanalytical systems-Biosensors. Chemical analysis instrumentation. Chemical analysis automation. Fluorescence/Time-Resolved Fluorescence and Bio(chemi)luminescence. Utilization of recombinant DNA technology for the preparation of new probes. DNA, RNA, and protein analysis technology.